Fundamentals of Enzymatic Electrochemical Systems

Abstract

Bioelectrochemical Systems (BESs) are innovative and sustainable devices that combine biological and electrochemical processes to engineer sensors, treat wastewater and/or produce electricity, fuels or high-value chemicals. In BESs, scientists have managed to incorporate biological catalysts, i.e. enzymes and/or microorganisms, and make them work into advanced electrochemical cells. BESs operate under mild conditions ? at close to ambient temperature and pressure and at circumneutral pH ? and represent a sustainable alternative to precious metal-based systems. Interestingly, enzymes and microorganisms are able to catalyze an extremely large variety of chemical reactions and process a wide variety of organic substrates, including dozens of biofuels and waste products. Incorporating biological catalysts into devices, while keeping their activity and achieving electrical communication with electrode surfaces, is a critical challenge when trying to advance the field of BESs. From implantable enzymatic biosensors to microbial electrosynthesis, and from laboratory-scale systems and fundamental studies to marketed devices, this book will provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances related to functional electrodes for BESs. Suitable for researchers, and graduate students of chemistry, biochemistry, materials science and environmental science and technology.